COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Thursday that the South Carolina State Grand Jury issued five indictments related to allegations of corruption that occurred at the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

The indictments were issued June 22, 2016, but have been under seal until today. They are as follows:

Three counts of Receiving Anything of Value to Influence Action of Public Employee;

One count of Acceptance of Rebates or Extra Compensation.

The indictment alleges that while he was with SCDOT, Shirley maintained a secret ownership and financial interest in a company doing contract work for his division at SCDOT, and Shirley participated in the awarding and supervision of work to this company. The indictment alleges that Shirley improperly received more than $360,000 as a result of his unlawful financial interest and secret arrangement.

2. Curtis C. Singleton Former head of SCDOT’s signal shop in District 1, charged with in the first indictment:

One count Use of Official Position or Office for Financial Gain;

One county Receiving Anything of Value to Influence Action of Public Employee;

One count Official Misconduct in Office;

One count Acceptance of Rebates or Extra Compensation.

The indictment alleges Singleton demanded and received cash bribes and kickbacks from contractors whose work he supervised.

In the second indictment he is also charged with:

Four counts of Receiving Anything of Value to Influence Action of Public Employee;

One count Official Misconduct in Office;

One count Acceptance of Rebates or Extra Compensation.

The indictment alleges Singleton demanded and received cash bribes and kickbacks from contractors whose work he supervised and assigned.

3. Joe Edward Butler Former SCDOT inspector, charged with:

Four counts of Receiving Anything of Value to Influence Action of Public Employee;

Three counts of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent;

One count Acceptance of Rebates or Extra Compensation.

The indictment alleges that Butler took SCDOT equipment and sold it to contractors, keeping the money for himself, and received other improper kickbacks and financial benefits.

4. Allen Kent Ray

One count Criminal Conspiracy;

One count Offering Anything of Value to Influence Action of Public Employee.

The indictment alleges that Ray conspired in the secret financial arrangement with Shirley, and that he paid Shirley approximately $360,000 in return for Shirley’s aid and assistance with the fulfillment of contracts and the performance of work that Shirley was supervising in his position as an official of the SCDOT.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Attorney General S. Creighton Waters, Assistant Attorney General Brian Petrano and Assistant Attorney General Joel Kozak.

Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.